Different factors affect the health and well-being of our students, including the physical condition of the home, school and community; the availability and quality of health services; economic and social conditions; and the quality and impact of health promotion. As a result, the Kentucky Board of Education encourages and depends on active partnerships among all those who can and should contribute to the well-being of students, including teachers, parents, peers, health professionals and the community.
Studies of school-based programs show that health instruction is effective in changing health attitudes and behaviors. By combining instruction with environmental, social and service support, a Coordinated School Health Plan aims to make sure pro-health attitudes and behaviors endure. It shows students, teachers, parents and the community that, by working together, they can achieve a higher level of health and well-being.
The Kentucky Department of Education calls upon all boards and councils to approve a Comprehensive School Health Program based on the eight components listed below and do so in concert with the concepts of KERA. Individual strengths, needs and solutions should be slowly developed through fervent cooperation with other.
To ensure the Coordinated School Health Team is progressing consistently with the intent of the Kentucky Board of Education, the following vision statement is proposed:
TO provide the statewide leadership and support necessary to develop a state-level infrastructure that provides support for local coordinated school health planning and implementation,
IN A WAY THAT demonstrates an integrated, collaborative approach between and among educators, health and human service providers, and other agencies and organizations at the policy and implementation levels,
SO THAT each and every child and family has access to the services and supports necessary to enable the highest level of student academic achievement by removing mental, physical, and other barriers to learning.